The fascinating gardens of California

This state has its share of amazing botanical gardens, each with its own story to tell

Gardening is becoming a passion of mine. The good thing about this type of interest is that I can do it even if I am on the road without my own little plot. There are so many unusual gardens in California—not just the urban, botanical ones but some that were established decades ago, some created for a specific purpose and others that remain secret gardens.

Ganna Walska Public Garden is located in Santa Barbara and is a must-see for the serious gardener. Madame Ganna Walska nee Puacz, created this garden in the early 1900s. Madame Walska was an opera singer who loved gardening and was also an expert landscaper. She is credited with coining the concept of “mass plantings” in the United States.

Ganna Walska Gardens is comprised of seventeen different gardens: cypress, theatre, blue, water, butterfly and fern to name a few. There are water stairs and a cypress allee. The Cycad Garden, containing about 900 specimens, is thought to be the most complete American Cycad garden.

Water is an important feature throughout the gardens. It plays a major role in the Parterra and continues with water stairs and an entire water garden.

Plan to spend the day, at least. Reservations are required. The facility is open from February 15 through November 15, a two-hour docent guided walking tour is given at 10 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. Reserve your spot by Internet at lotusland.org or by phone 805-969-9990.

Seek the unusual

Those who like to search out the unusual and unique will find it in Baldasare Forestier’s underground home and garden. It is located on Shaw Avenue, just east of Highway 99 in North Fresno, California. This garden is Mediterranean in style and was patterned after ancient catacombs in Sicily. In 1906, Baldasare Forestier, newly arrived in the USA, took about 10 acres of land and turned it into more than 100 rooms, grottos, passageways and plantings. Over 100 years old, it is now owned by Ric Forestier, the creator’s nephew.

Tours are US$14 for adults and US$7 for children aged five to 17. Seniors 60 years old and over pay US$12 and children under five are free. Call 559-271-0734 before you go to make sure the weather is good.

We have mentioned the Living Desert in former articles and it is definitely worth another mention. Palm Desert is where it’s at. Again allow an entire day for walking through this place, for it has both gardens and animals to view with hiking trails for the energetic.

The gardens contain examples of how former inhabitants of this area lived, what they used the native plants for and how they worked the land. Call the Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park at 760-346-5694.

A splendid botanical legacy

The home and garden of Luther Burbank is one of my favourites, because he had the good sense to hire my great-grandfather. (My relative was a recent immigrant from Hungary who had tended the prince’s silkworm trees.) Mr. Burbank’s other claim to fame was as a innovative horticulturist who developed the potato now fried at the McDonald fast food chain. He also developed the Shasta Daisy. These are only two of his many gifts to those of us who continue to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

You can visit any day between April and October from 8 a.m. until dusk. For more information call 707-524-5445 Santa Rosa, California.

These are only a few of the many fascinating gardens that California has to offer. Wherever you go, take your camera, sketch pad and imagination along. Oh, and a companion who you can share the delight with.